Facing the difficulties and technical barriers of the traditional export markets, Vietnam seafood enterprises in general and mollusk ones in particular diverted to new potential markets such as the Middle East, UAE… and gradually gain the confidence of consumers in these markets. In the first 10 months of 2010, Vietnam has exported 671 MT of mollusk to Israel – one of the biggest seafood markets in the Middle East, worth over US$3.1 million, up 84.5% in volume and 131.4% in value compared to the same period of 2009.

According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics in 2009, the country exported nearly 53 thousand MT of seafood, including mollusk. Annual imported seafood volume accounts for 70% of the total seafood supply of the country and is growing in the past 5 years.

Besides, in recent years, Vietnamese mollusk exporters have many opportunities to access to Israel thanks to trade agreements signed by 2 sides such as Trade Agreement, Air Transportation Agreement… Therefore, Vietnam’s mollusk export turnover to Israel increased significantly. Moreover, most seafood products of Vietnam meet Israel’s standards on hygiene and food safety and its consumers are willing to pay high price for these products.

According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, in the first 10 months of 2010, Vietnam has exported nearly 100 thousand MT of mollusk to 77 markets worldwide, worth about US$388 million, down 1.5% in volume and up 9% in value compared to the same period of 2009.